There are a lot of important attractions to visit in Berlin, especially if you’re interested in history. The German capital is known for its vibrant cultural scene and it’s one of the only cities in the world that has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its boundaries. It’d be quite easy to spend a week in Berlin and still not see everything. Although the tourist attractions are a must-see in Berlin, there are also numerous unique things to do in Berlin that a lot of people miss out on.
We spent four days in Berlin and managed to see quite a lot of interesting sites that aren’t along the usual tourist route. If you’re short on time, I would highly recommend joining one of the many walking tours in Berlin or using a sightseeing bus so you can see all of the highlights. For those of you who are staying in the city for a longer period of time or have visited Berlin before, you’re still guaranteed to have a full itinerary with all of the unique things to do in Berlin.
Getting around Berlin
Berlin has an extensive public transportation network so it’s incredibly easy to get around the city. We mostly used the U-Bahn (subway) but there are also trams, buses, and light-rail trains (S-Bahn). The daily and weekly tickets include all forms of transportation and the prices vary based on what zones you want to travel to.
The ticket machines can be found at all S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations and are multilingual. You can also purchase a ticket onboard a bus or tram. Downloading the VBB app is useful if you’ve never used the public transportation network in Berlin, or you can use Google maps which will also tell you what routes to take. You can find more helpful tips and information about how to get around the city through Visit Berlin’s website.
Berlin Welcome Card
One of the best ways to explore Berlin on a budget is to purchase the Berlin Welcome Card. The card includes unlimited public transportation and there are different time variants and prices available for adults (includes up to 3 children between 6 and 15 years old). You’ll also receive a city map and a travel guide to help you explore all of the unique things to do in Berlin.
If you’re planning on visiting some of the main tourist sites around the city, showing your Berlin Welcome Card will get you up to 50% off entry at some of the sites. This includes some of the top museums in Berlin.
Unique things to do in Berlin
Walk around the dome of the Reichstag Building
One of the best free things to do in Berlin is walk around the dome of the Reichstag Building. Entry is completely free but you need to book your ticket on the official website, usually weeks in advance, and bring a valid ID with you to get through security. Once you enter you’ll be escorted to an elevator that takes you to the top of the Reichstag Building where there’s a large glass dome.
The Reichstag is the seat of Germany’s parliament and it was originally built in 1894. It was badly damaged by a fire in 1933 and it wasn’t until after WWII that it began to be restored. In 1990 it was the official site of the reunification ceremony and by 1999 the new German government finally convened in the Reichstag. The glass dome sits directly above the debating chamber so visitors can catch a glimpse of the German parliament in action.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was the most well known crossing point between East and West Berlin, making it an important site during the Cold War. There are a lot of stories about this checkpoint that are worth learning about, and many walking tours of Berlin will pass by here. Sadly, many people lost their lives trying to cross over to West Berlin. You can find an open air exhibition on the corner of Schützenstraße and Zimmerstraße that tells the stories of both the failed and successful crossing attempts.
Dance inside the world’s smallest disco
Did you know that Berlin is home to the smallest disco on earth? Teledisko is one of the most unique things to do in Berlin, and there are a few locations dotted around the city. Inside the upcycled phone booth you can choose a song to dance to which is accompanied by a light show. It costs very little to try out and you probably won’t have seen anything like it anywhere else.
Charlottenburg Palace
One of the most visited attractions in Berlin is Charlottenburg Palace. It’s the largest palace complex in Berlin and was a favourite retreat for many Hohenzollern rulers. The palace was built at the end of the17th century but after being badly damaged in WWII it underwent extensive restoration.
It was originally commissioned by the wife of Frederick III (later Frederick I of Prussia), Sophie Charlotte, who invited a variety of artists to decorate the interior of the palace. The Amber Room was a major feature of the palace but following the destruction caused in WWII no traces of it have been found.
There’s a lot to see in Charlottenburg Palace. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the Old Palace and the New Wing, as well as the beautiful gardens. If you visit the palace around Christmas then you’ll also find one of Berlin’s Christmas markets situated in the grounds.
Samurai Museum
The Samurai Museum in Berlin is the only one of its kind in Europe. It’s the first museum in Europe dedicated to the culture and history of the samurai and it houses the largest collection of authentic samurai artifacts outside of Japan. It’s a very unique interactive museum where you can learn more about the traditions and lives of the samurai. There are two floors to explore so it should take around 90 minutes to see in its entirety. It ranks highly among the most unique things to do in Berlin.
Join a Berlin food tour
If there’s one thing to know about the food scene in Berlin, it’s that it’s very multicultural. You can find a lot of traditional German food in Berlin, but one of the best ways to learn more about how modern day Berlin was formed is by taking a food tour. Fork & Walk Tours offer a variety of food tours that focus on different aspects of the city, and they’re a lot of fun.
We joined their Trends & Classics Food Tour which lasts for three hours and includes a vibrant commentary about the history of Berlin. Along the walking route you’ll stop at several locally run eateries that offer a good mixture of traditional German food and drinks as well as food that’s currently trending. It’s a fantastic way to explore the German capital and it’s certainly one of the most unique things to do in Berlin at any time of the year.
Explore the underground world of Berlin
Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the city of Berlin? Berlin Unterwelten has various tours available that will take you through the extensive network of tunnels and shelters that were used during WWII. The Dark Worlds tour allows visitors to experience bombing raids through the eyes of civilians by exploring one of the few remaining bunkers in Berlin. It’s been left exactly as it was following the end of WWII so it’s a very moving and unique experience in Berlin. The tour also looks back at over 150 years of underground history in Berlin.
Spend some time on Museum Island
One of the most well known museum complexes in Europe can be found in Berlin. Museum Island was built by five architects who each designed impressive pieces of architecture during the time of the Prussian rulers. The museums that can be found here include the Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode Museum, and the famous Pergamon Museum.
Each museum offers a different type of collection, and due to their size you should plan at least two days to visit all of them. Unfortunately the Pergamon Museum is closed for renovations but The Panorama is still open and is a must-see in Berlin. For those of you looking for the bust of Nefertiti, you’ll find it inside the Neues Museum but photos aren’t permitted.
Hop on a hot air balloon
If you’re looking for something really unusual to do in Berlin, head over to Welt Balloon. It’s one of the world’s largest passenger tethered balloons and offers people a chance to view Berlin from 150 metres above the ground. There are a lot of viewing platforms in Berlin but there’s nothing else quite like this. The experience lasts for just 15 minutes so it won’t take a lot of time out of your Berlin itinerary.
Use a vintage photo booth
Those of you who have been to Berlin before will know all about the Photoautomat dotted around Berlin. Taking a photo inside one of these photobooths is one of the most unique things to do in Berlin and is very inexpensive. These vintage booths still use a mini chemical lab inside of them to create a series of four photographs. They’re a great souvenir and it’s a lot of fun deciding which poses to quickly make before the flash goes off.
Take a bus tour around Berlin
The public transportation network in Berlin is fantastic, but if you want to take a more touristy route around the city then I would recommend using City Sightseeing. This hop-on-hop-off bus tour will take you past many of the main attractions in Berlin, and your ticket is valid for at least 24 hours. There’s also an audio guide to listen to that gives you more information about the history of Berlin and the buildings that you’ll be passing by. Taking a City Sightseeing tour is one of the top things to do in Berlin if it’s your first time visiting the city.
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Berlin TV Tower
No trip to Berlin is complete without visiting the Berlin TV Tower. This iconic landmark was built during the years of the GDR and it stands as the highest building in Europe open to the public. If you make your way to the top of the tower you’ll have the option of dining in the revolving restaurant or you can simply take in the stunning panoramic views from the observation platform. While the tower might not be a hidden gem, one of the most unique things to do in Berlin is to have afternoon tea inside it while admiring the city views.
If you visit the Berlin TV Tower when it’s foggy you’ll be advised to rebook your tickets for another day due to the lack of visibility at the top.
Unique places to eat in Berlin
San Sebastian The Original
There are a lot of dessert spots in Berlin to choose from, but one that can’t be missed is San Sebastian The Original. This cafe serves delicious homemade cheesecakes that you can upgrade with sauces and toppings. They have a big selection of flavours as well as an original cheesecake, but I would recommend ordering their rainbow cheesecake if it’s available. They’re very generous with the sauce too, so stopping here is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth craving.
Milano Vice
One of the coolest places to go in Berlin for pizza is Milano Vice. This pop-up pizza restaurant is very modern and has a great selection of freshly made pizzas available, including meat-free alternatives. You can easily share a pizza but if you’re feeling hungry you might as well order one per person so you can try out the different flavours. They have a couple of tables inside as well as fun merchandise available to purchase that suits the vibe of the restaurant perfectly.
Belle Alliance
Brunch restaurants in Berlin don’t come much better than Belle Alliance. The restaurant has a very cozy setting which is nice if you’re visiting Berlin in the winter. On the menu you’ll find all of the traditional brunch dishes that you’re used to as well as some unique alternatives. Everything is made fresh to order using high-quality ingredients so you really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. Belle Alliance is also a popular spot for drinks later in the afternoon if you can’t make it here in the morning.
Pink Burgers
Smash burgers are very on trend at the moment, and one of the best places to get a smash burger in Berlin is at Pink Burgers. They use premium quality beef in all of their burgers, and they also have meat-free options available. What sets them apart from other burger restaurants in Berlin is the bun. Their burger buns are bright pink and topped with sesame seeds which makes it a unique dining experience. It’s also a very budget friendly place to eat in Berlin so make sure you give it a try!
Coccodrillo
One of the most unique things to do in Berlin in terms of food is to dine at Coccodrillo. This vibrant Italian restaurant serves authentic dishes based around Italian tradition. All of their artisanal products are imported from producers in Italy, and where possible they prioritise local products. 70% of their menu is vegetarian too, so there are plenty of meat-free options available.
Coccodrillo are very well known for their freshly made pizzas but it was the pasta dishes that stole the show for us. Make sure you book your table in advance because it’s almost always fully booked. You’ll love the menu but the interior design is equally as impressive and worth taking a few photos of before you leave.
Enzo’s Cafe
You’ll come across many breakfast spots in Berlin, but if you’re in the mood for fluffy pancakes paired with delicious fresh coffee then a trip to Enzo’s Cafe is a must. Their Japanese souffle pancakes come fully loaded with various sauces and toppings – and you get quite a big stack too! They also have plenty of healthy and savoury options on their menu if you’re not big on having a sweet breakfast. The pancakes are a must-try in my opinion though.
44 Brekkie
44 Brekkie is a trendy cafe in Berlin with a menu based around delicious fluffy scrambled eggs served on fresh slices of brioche toast. It’s an incredibly popular cafe so they only accept walk-ins. On the weekend you can expect a long queue outside so be prepared to wait. The bacon sandwich is a personal favourite of mine which is served with eggs, bacon, and cheese.
Where to stay in Berlin
aletto Hotel Potsdamer Platz
If you’re looking for a modern and budget friendly hotel in Berlin, aletto Hotel Potsdamer Platz is the perfect option. This hotel is located in the heart of Berlin and offers premium comfort at affordable prices. It sits right across the road from a subway station too so you have easy access to all parts of Berlin.
We stayed in one of their spacious double rooms and from the window you could see the Berlin TV Tower in the distance. The room features a smart TV, air conditioning and heating, insulated windows and a blackout curtain, USB ports, and a digital room control. The bathroom is also very modern with underfloor heating, and there are plenty of shelves to store your belongings on. The modern furnishings give the room a very clean look which is a bonus.
Since we visited Berlin in the winter, the rooftop terrace was closed. However, we took full advantage of the lobby area which offers a relaxed atmosphere. There’s a pop-up store concept in the lobby as well as comfortable seating areas, a games corner, and a modern bar. If you don’t feel like leaving the hotel in the evening you can also order a freshly made meal from the hotel’s restaurant menu.
The best way to start the day is with a hearty breakfast, so booking the buffet breakfast at aletto Hotel Potsdamer Platz is a no-brainer. The breakfast area is very well organized, with a good selection of hot and continental food available. They also include seasonal and local products in their offerings, and they serve Starbucks coffee throughout the hotel.
Berlin isn’t a cheap city to visit, so finding somewhere to stay that’s both modern and affordable can be difficult. aletto Hotel Potsdamer Platz offers everything that you could ever need in a hotel and it’s perfectly located for you to try all of the unique things to do in Berlin from.
>> Learn more about aletto Hotel Potsdamer Platz and the rooms that are available <<
How many days to visit Berlin?
Berlin is a vibrant city and there are a lot of unique things to do in Berlin, whether you’ve been to the city before or it’s your first time in the German capital. To see as many of the main attractions as possible it’s a good idea to spend at least three days in Berlin. But spending a week in Berlin or longer is recommended if you want to explore all of the hidden gems in Berlin and find some of the best places to eat in Berlin along the way.
Do you have any other recommendations about unique things to do in Berlin? Or maybe you have some questions regarding where to eat in Berlin? Feel free to reach out to me via email, or you can follow along with my travels on Instagram and get in touch there.
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